asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of public beaches presently being used by members of the security forces for training or other purposes; their locations; the number of accidents which may have occured arising from such conflict of use; if he will consider utilising only beaches that are not available to the public or unsuitable for the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Security Forces Training Grounds.
411.
In general, public beaches are not used by the Defence Forces for training. On occasions, however, it is necessary, for operational purposes, for military drivers to gain experience of off-the-road driving on beaches etc. Every care is taken to ensure that such training does not endanger members of the public and, apart from one recent incident of which the Deputy is aware, no record can be traced of any resultant accidents.